Le Matelot Breton, BAL2007.59, En 1828

Author(s): monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer gérard (designer), designer-lithographer other title: songs of béranger (title of the series) production date: in 1828 dating in century: 19th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print name(s): print materials and techniques: laid paper, watercolor dimensions - artwork: height: 15. 2cm width: 22. 5cm dimensions - album: height: 15. 7cm width: 24cm description: colored engraving marks, inscriptions, hallmarks: title of the work - under the image: le matelot breton inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier author inscription - under the image on the right: lith. Gérard, joinville. Iconographic description: in a clearing on the edge of a village whose bell tower can be seen, a mother sits with her infant in her arms. A man sits behind her, while a group of children accompanied by a dog approach. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "le matelot breton" of which here is an extract: "— frenchman, thank you. What is your father doing? — sire, he sleeps in the snows of eylau. With you my oldest brother died content at waterloo. My mother, an honest canteen keeper, returned, crying for her husband, to the country where, in her cottage, five children prayed to god for you. — perhaps she is without resources, he said moved; here, take this; for your mother, take this purse: it's little; but i'm poor too. I kiss the hand he gives me: - no, sire, keep this treasure. "béranger (1780-1857) is a prolific and extremely popular french singer to whom balzac refers in several of his novels. "this worthy gentleman particularly hated priests, he was part of this large herd of simpletons who subscribed to the constitutionnel, and was very concerned about the refusal of burials. He adored voltaire, although his preferences were for piron, vadé, collé. Naturally he admired béranger, whom he ingeniously called the high priest of lisette's religion. His daughters, madame camusot and madame protez, his two sons, would be, according to a popular expression, fallen from their height, if someone had explained to them what their father meant by: singing about mother godichon!” [excerpt from a beginning in life, by honoré de balzac] themes / subjects / places represented: literary scene, infant = baby, village, forest - wood, child, dog mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2007. 59. Date: En 1828.